Evening Standard
·29 November 2024
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·29 November 2024
Spurs held to Europa League draw with Roma
Mats Hummels scored a 90th-minute equaliser to rescue a 2-2 draw for Roma against Tottenham in an enormously entertaining Europa League tie in north London.
Moments after Fraser Forster’s outstanding save to deny Gianluca Mancini, the 35-year-old centre-half met Angelino’s cross at the far post for Roma’s second leveller of the night.
Heung-min Son fired Spurs ahead from the penalty spot after Pape Sarr was caught by Hummels inside three minutes.
Roma levelled through Evan N’Dicka’s header and scored the first of three disallowed goals when Stephan El Shaarawy volleyed home from Paulo Dybala’s cute pass.
Brennan Johnson’s smart finish restored Spurs lead before the interval, and Roma twice had efforts disallowed for Artem Dovbyk offsides in the second half.
Spurs twice struck the woodwork through Pedro Porro and Dominic Solanke, while Angelino’s effort was deflected onto the bar at the other end.
Here’s how we rated the Spurs players…
Fraser Forster 6
Beaten five times on the night but three of Roma’s goals were disallowed for offside. Made a brilliant stop to deny Mancini just before the late equaliser. The stand-in goalkeeper also twice denied Paulo Dybala with smart saves in the first half. Had one hairy moment playing out after the break.
Pedro Porro 7
Bailed out by Forster after a terrible late header too close to Dovbyk. But he deflected Angelino’s goal-bound effort onto the crossbar and struck the woodwork at the other end with a free-kick. Also involved in the build-up to the first goal and got forward well.
Another jittery display in this competition against an attacking Roma side. Did help Spurs hold a disciplined defensive line, which meant Roma repeatedly fell foul of the offside trap.
Ben Davies 6
Carried the ball out of defence really well, including a driving run to win a free-kick on the edge of Roma’s box. Appears to be growing in confidence as a centre-half.
Archie Gray 7
Out of position at left-back but did not look out of place. Comfortable on the ball and crossed for a Solanke header which struck the woodwork.
Rodrigo Bentancur 6
Composed on the ball at the base of midfield but booked for a rash challenge and replaced before the end, despite his domestic ban.
Pape Sarr 8
Won the penalty in the second minute when he nipped ahead of Hummels. Full of energy, and drew a save from Mile Svilar after a surging run.
Dejan Kulusevski 7
Made Johnson’s goal with a cutback and struck the base of the post moments later. Occasionally loose in possession but influential again.
Brennan Johnson 7
Restored Spurs’ lead in the first half with a thumping first-time finish, having earlier had an effort cleared off the line. Developing into a really consistent goal-threat.
Heung-min Son 7
Made no mistake from the penalty spot to open the scoring. Forced a smart save from Svilar in the first half but really should have hit the target when he blazed over after Kulusevski’s effort came off the post.
Dominic Solanke 8
Headed off the crossbar and stung Svilar’s palms in the second half. Held up the ball well and was a threat on the counter, notably skinning Hummels to nearly set up Johnson.
Dominic Solanke lead the line well for Spurs
AFP via Getty Images
Subs
James Maddison (Johnson 68’) 7
Immediately created a chance for Solanke in a lively cameo.
Yves Bissouma (Sarr 68’) 7
Kept the ball well, and occasionally looked to drive forward.
Lucas Bergvall (Bentancur 77’) 5
Created a chance for Werner with a raking cross-field pass but looked off the pace when he came on and perhaps should have cleared the danger before Roma’s equaliser.
Timo Werner (Son 77’) 5
Struggled for a final ball when he got in space down the left.